Clarion Little League: Week Two Recap (05/01/2018)

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub) The Clarion Little League (CCL) second week, pre-Opening Day schedule featured games on Monday (April 23), Tuesday (April 24), and Wednesday (April 25). The Monday game, Delta vs. Lions, went off without a hitch, however, because of inclement weather (a recurrent theme this spring) the games on Tuesday, SMI vs. Pizza Pub, and Wednesday, Rotary vs. Burns & Burns, were postponed and played as a doubleheader on Thursday evening (April 26).

GAME 1: Lions 3 – Delta 2 (7 innings)

As CLL President Brian Smail messaged me, “What a great game!”

Delta (Away) jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when lead-off hitter Jesse Siewicki (hit by a pitch) and the second batter, Logan Lutz (walk), both worked their way around the bases as the result of a series of errors and steals.

Delta pitching and defense then proceeded to shut-out Lions (Home) until the bottom of the sixth. Down to their last half inning, Lions finally got on the board when Hayden Weber connected for a two RBI single that tied the game 2-2 and sent it into extra innings.

Delta was unable to score in the top of the extra frame. In the bottom half of the inning Lions player Trey Hicks walked and stole second, scoring to win the game, 3-2, on a Jake Smith double.

Delta did not record a hit in the contest. Siewicki was hit by a pitch and had three stolen bases. Lutz walked twice and swiped two bags. Jase Ferguson walked once and stole a base, with his brother Kaden also getting a free pass. Jase Ferguson pitched the first five and two-thirds innings for Delta, striking out ten. Lutz took the mound for the final one and a third innings to close the game, fanning three.

Smith wielded the big bat for Lions, going 3-3. He hit two singles and the game winning, RBI double. Weber connected for a two RBI single. Gabe Simko added a single. Simko pitched the opening four and two-thirds innings for Lions, striking out nine. Brady Pierce came on in relief and collected the win, going two and a third-innings during which he struck out three.

GAME 2: Pizza Pub 5 – SMI 3

The first game of last Thursday evening’s doubleheader saw Pizza Pub (Home) take a 5-3 victory over SMI (Away).

Pizza Pub held SMI scoreless through the first five innings while scoring one in the bottom of the third and four in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. The SMI offense got going in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs, but this would prove to be too little, too late.

Brayden Murray was the hitting star for SMI, going 3-3 with a single, double, and home run. He was credited with two RBI. Dauntae Girvan had a double and RBI, with Ben Aaron adding a double and Jack Craig a single.

Kohen Kemmer connected for a triple and RBI for Pub, with Ethan Rex chipping in a single and RBI of his own. Tanner Miller, Parker Miller, and Hayden Hindman all walked and came around to score. Matt Altson walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

GAME 3: Rotary 4 – Burns & Burns 1

Rotary (Away) took a 4-1 decision over Burns & Burns in the second game of last Thursday’s doubleheader.

Rotary’s Tommy Smith hit a double and was credited with two RBI. Liam Huwar also had a double and picked up an RBI. Bryce Brinkley hit two singles and Brady Quinn one. Riley Rinker and Logan Emmings each walked. Smith pitched three and two-thirds innings, during which he fanned eight. Also seeing time on the bump were Brinkley (three strike outs) and Owen Kriebel (two strike outs).

Dawson Smail hit a double and drove in a run for Burns. Derek Smail likewise had a double and Devon Lauer smacked two singles. Dawson Smail threw for two and two-thirds innings, setting seven down via strike outs. Also pitching for Burns were Derek Smail (three strike outs), Ty Rankin, and Lauer (one strike out).

(thanks to Dave Smail for the information)

(* not for republication)